HYDERABAD: The latest version of the web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) emergency planning and response system, developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), is all set for operations in factories in Mahbubnagar, Krishna and Nalgonda districts.Introducing the fourth phase of the technology here on Friday, NIC deputy director general Sanjay Singh Gehlot said, “the latest version aims to minimize damages during explosion or chemical accidents in industries.” The first phase the technology was launched some eight years ago.Gehlot was speaking at a workshop on WEB-GIS based emergency planning and response system, jointly organised by the NIC, Union IT ministry here on Friday. The event was sponsored by Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).Recalling the Bhopal gas tragedy and Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and the recent Tsunami threats, Gehlot underlined the need of creating awareness about how to tackle disaster situations with proper involvement of the community. More mock drills should be conducted at the local levels to share the knowledge in emergency preparedness, he said. “The primary responders to a disaster-- police, fire services, health services, revenue-- needed to work in unison in a disaster scenario,”said Gehlot. According to G Balakishore, director, department of factories, there are about 153 major accident hazardous (MAH) factory units across 21 districts in the state. With the new system, maps, images, resource data , vulnerable zones, related to MAH units can be recorded which would help prevent off-site damages at a factory in emergencies, he said. Every district in the state, with the support of the Ministry of Environment and Forest, has prepared off-site emergency plans considering measures like rapid safety audit and hazard analysis, he added. Participants also shared their personal experience regarding disaster management. The state, at present, is equipped with only one ‘foam tender’ to deal with any chemical accident, they pointed out.Dr Chhanda Chowdhury, director, Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF ) opined that the state should consider providing training to Police on disaster management, as no enough mock drills were being conducted. Medak collector S Suresh Kumar urged the need of a specialised wing in police and fire departments to deal with industrial disasters. Revenue principal secretary Dr T Radha, Rangareddy collector V Seshadhiri, Nalgonda collector N Mukteswara Rao, NDMA member Dr.Muzaffar Ahmad, Balanagar Zone DCP Pramod Kumar, factories and labour principal secretary D Srinivasulu, health pricipal secretary KR Kishore and other officials were also present in the workshop.
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